Alabama

Three-run second inning helps lift Spring Hill to 4-3 victory

MOBILE, Alabama - The Spring Hill College baseball team opened a 3-game non-conference series versus Martin Methodist College with an exciting 4-3 win over the RedHawks at historic Stan Galle Field on Friday evening.

Spring Hill's batters erupted for a 3-run outburst in the 2nd inning off MMC starter Blake Beavers as junior centerfielder Jack Lauber drove in the first run of the day with a double to deep right-center that plated freshman 3rd baseman Willie Floros all the way from 1st base. Freshman right fielder Garrett Webb then brought in Lauber with a single to right and sophomore shortstop Brooks Bobinger capped the frame with an RBI single to shallow right-center.

The RedHawks answered back with a 2-run 4th inning off a sacrifice fly by 1st baseman Evan Fergerson that was followed by successful steal of home by courtesy runner Ryan Gardner. MMC then tied the contest in the 5th inning when left fielder Clint Gobbell snuck a single up the middle to drive in right fielder Ryan Jett from 2nd base.

Spring Hill dodged a bullet in the 6th when the RedHawks put runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs, but failed to score when the SHC infield turned a double play and then 1st baseman John Hollingsworth snagged a foul ball line drive with a diving catch to his left for the third out.

Floros put the winning run on the board for the Badgers in the 8th inning with a sacrifice fly to center that brought in courtesy runner Greg Hardnett from 3rd base following sophomore catcher Ryan Stevens' second double of the day to deep left-centerfield.

Badger starter senior Casey Adams had no decision in five full innings of work and allowed seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts while freshman Johnathan Billings moved to 1-1 on the year in 3.2 innings of work and gave up a hit, two walks and a strikeout. Sophomore Keller Douglas collected his second save in as many outings striking out the only batter he faced with runners at 1st and 2nd bases.

Beavers lasted seven innings giving up five hits, two walks and two hit batters with four strikeouts. Jake Shadix took the loss in one inning of relief allowing a double to Stevens and a walk. Shadix also had a crucial throwing error on a pickoff attempt at 2nd base that moved Hardnett to 3rd base.

Stevens was 3-for-4 with two doubles in the game for SHC while the RedHawk catcher Nick was 2-for-3 at the plate.

The Badgers (2-3) will wrap up this series with Martin Methodist (2-4) with a doubleheader at Stan Galle Field on Saturday beginning at noon.